A facile colorimetric sensor for ketoprofen detection in milk: Integrating molecularly imprinted polymers with Cu-doped Fe3O4 nanozymes.

A facile and efficient detection method is required to address the potential health risks of ketoprofen (KP) in animal-derived foods. Herein, we integrated molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with Cu-doped Fe3O4 nanozymes (Fe3O4-Cu) to develop a selective colorimetric sensor for KP detection. Chitosan and glutaraldehyde were used as functional monomers and cross-linkers to fabricate proposed the MIPs@Fe3O4-Cu. On KP addition, it was specifically captured by the imprinted cavities, thereby blocking the channels between chromogenic substrates and Fe3O4-Cu. Based on this rationale, a selective colorimetric sensor utilizing MIPs@Fe3O4-Cu was established, exhibiting a linear range of 0.25-100 µM and a detection limit of 0.073 µM. The developed method was validated through its application in milk samples, yielding satisfactory recoveries with low relative standard deviations. This efficient and selective colorimetric sensor holds immense significance for KP detection in complex samples.

Copper (II)-catalyzed polydopamine mediated photothermal sensors for visual quantitative point-of-care testing.

BACKGROUND: Temperature sensing is commonly used in point-of-care (POC) detection technologies, yet the portability and convenience of use are frequently compromised by the complexity of thermosensitive processes and signal transduction. Especially, multi-step target recognition reactions and temperature measurement in the reaction vessel present challenges in terms of stability and integration of detection devices. To further combine photothermal reaction and signal readout in one assay, these two processes enable to be integrated into miniaturized microfluidic chips, thereby facilitating photothermal sensing and achieving a simple visual temperature sensing as POC detection. RESULTS: A copper ion (Cu2+)-catalyzed photothermal sensing system integrated onto a microfluidic distance-based analytical device (µDAD), enabling the visual, portable, and sensitive quantitative detection of multiple targets, including ascorbic acid, glutathione, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) were synthesized by the regulation of free Cu2+ through redox or coordination reactions, facilitating the transduction of distinct photothermal response signals and providing the versatile Cu2+-responsive sensing systems. Promoted by integration with a photothermal µDAD, the system combines PDA's photothermal responsiveness and thermosensitive gas production of ammonium bicarbonate for improved sensitivity of ALP detection, reaching the detection limit of 9.1 mU/L. The system has successfully achieved on-chip detection of ALP with superior anti-interference capability and recoveries ranging from 96.8 % to 104.7 %, alongside relative standard deviations below 8.0 %. SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY: The µDAD design accommodated both the photothermal reaction of PDA NPs and thermosensitive gas production reaction, achieving the rapid sensing of visual distance signals. The µDAD-based Cu2+-catalyzed photothermal sensing system holds substantial potential for applications in biochemical analysis and clinical diagnostics, underscored by the versatile Cu2+ regulation mechanism for a broad spectrum of biomarkers.

Global marine microbial diversity and its potential in bioprospecting.

The past two decades has witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of microbial genomes retrieved from marine systems1,2. However, it has remained challenging to translate this marine genomic diversity into biotechnological and biomedical applications3,4. Here we recovered 43,191 bacterial and archaeal genomes from publicly available marine metagenomes, encompassing a wide range of diversity with 138 distinct phyla, redefining the upper limit of marine bacterial genome size and revealing complex trade-offs between the occurrence of CRISPR-Cas systems and antibiotic resistance genes. In silico bioprospecting of these marine genomes led to the discovery of a novel CRISPR-Cas9 system, ten antimicrobial peptides, and three enzymes that degrade polyethylene terephthalate. In vitro experiments confirmed their effectiveness and efficacy. This work provides evidence that global-scale sequencing initiatives advance our understanding of how microbial diversity has evolved in the oceans and is maintained, and demonstrates how such initiatives can be sustainably exploited to advance biotechnology and biomedicine.

SNPscan Combined With CNVplex as a High-Performance Diagnostic Method for Thalassemia.

OBJECTIVE: Thalassemia is a Mendelian-inherited blood disorder with severe consequences, including disability and mortality, making it a significant public health concern. Therefore, there is an urgent need for precise diagnostic technologies. We introduce two innovative diagnostic techniques for thalassemia, SNPscan and CNVplex, designed to enhance molecular diagnostics of thalassemia. METHODS: The SNPscan and CNVplex assays utilize variations in PCR product length and fluorescence to identify multiple mutations. In the SNPscan method, we designed three probes per locus: two 5' and one 3', and incorporated allele identification link sequences into one of the 5' probes to distinguish the alleles. The detection system was designed for 67 previously reported loci in the Chinese population for a specific genetic condition. CNVplex identifies deletion types by analyzing the specific positions of probes within the globin gene. This innovative approach enables the detection of six distinct deletional mutations, enhancing the precision of thalassemia diagnostics. We evaluated and refined the methodologies in a training cohort of 100 individuals with confirmed HBA and HBB genotypes. The validation cohort, consisting of 1647 thalassemia patients and 100 healthy controls, underwent a double-blind study. Traditional diagnostic techniques served as the control methods. RESULTS: In the training set of 100 samples, 10 mutations (Hb QS, Hb CS, Hb Westmead, CD17, CD26, CD41-42, IVS-II-654, --SEA, -α3.7 and -α4.2) were identified, consistent with those identified by traditional methods. The validation study showed that SNPscan/CNVplex offered superior molecular diagnostic capabilities for thalassemia, with 100% accuracy compared to 99.43% for traditional methods. Notably, the assay identified three previously undetected mutations in 10 cases, including two deletion mutations (Chinese Gγ(Aγδß)0 del and SEA-HPFH), and one non-deletion mutation (Hb Q-Thailand). CONCLUSIONS: The SNPscan/CNVplex assay is a cost-effective and user-friendly tool for diagnosing thalassemia, demonstrating high accuracy and reliability, and showing great potential as a primary diagnostic method in clinical practice.

Ball-Milling-Enabled Nickel-Catalyzed Reductive 1,4-Alkylarylation of 1,3-Enynes under an Air Atmosphere.

A ball-mill-enabled nickel-catalyzed 1,4-alkylarylation of 1,3-enynes with organic bromides has been developed, offering a versatile method for assembling tetrasubstituted allenes. This approach, the first of ball-milling-based remote radical coupling, overcomes the limitations of traditional solution-phase methods, such as the need for air- and moisture-sensitive reagents, the use of bulk solvents, and prolonged reaction times. Given the outstanding performance of ball-milling-based radical reduction coupling reactions, we anticipate further advancements in sustainable and efficient synthetic methodologies.

Update on aquaporin-4 antibody detection: the early diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune-mediated primary inflammatory myelinopathy of the central nervous system that primarily affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. The aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) is a specific autoantibody marker for NMOSD. Most patients with NMOSD are seropositive for AQP4-Ab, thus aiding physicians in identifying ways to treat NMOSD. AQP4-Ab has been tested in many clinical and laboratory studies, demonstrating effectiveness in diagnosing NMOSD. Recently, novel assays have been developed for the rapid and accurate detection of AQP4-Ab, providing further guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of NMOSD. This article summarizes the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis for treating NMOSD based on a review of the latest relevant literature. We discussed current challenges and methods for improvement to offer new ideas for exploring rapid and accurate AQP4-Ab detection methods, aiming for early diagnosis of NMOSD.

atRA Attenuates High Salt-Driven EAE Mainly Through Suppressing Th17-Like Regulatory T Cell Response Mediated by the Inhibition of IL-23R Signaling Pathway.

High salt diet (HSD) is implicated in numerous disorders, which boosts Th17 cell development and weakens immunosuppressive function of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) Treg cells, leading to the exacerbation of EAE. However, little is known regarding the harness of excessive proinflammatory responses evoked by HSD. Here we show that atRA, a key vitamin A metabolite with multifaceted immunoregulatory properties has the potential in inhibiting the proinflammatory reaction of high salt. Treatment with atRA in vivo elicited the Treg generation in cervical and axillary lymph nodes (CALs), and in CNS of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Meanwhile, the proportion of Th17-like Treg cells (RORγt-positive or GM-CSF-positive Treg cells) decreased in CALs. atRA also inhibited IL-17A expression in CD4+ effector T cells. In-vitro mechanistic studies showed that atRA inhibit IL-23R but not SGK1 expression in Treg cells and this results in maintained immunosuppressive function of Treg cells even in the presence of IL-6 and high salt. Furthermore, treatment of EAE with anti-IL-23R mAb attenuated HSD-provoked EAE progress. This was associated with a reduction in the number of CNS-infiltrating Th17 cells and an increase of CAL-Treg cells. Mechanically, treatment with atRA significantly promoted LP-CD103+CD11c+ dendritic cells, a subgroup of cells most closely involved in endogenous retinoic acid metabolism, and enhanced intestinal Aldh1a1 and Rdh10 expression from HSD-fed EAE mice. Interestingly, anti-IL-23R mAb administration also reduced IL-23R expression in Treg cells, along with the increased proportion of LP-CD103+CD11c+ dendritic cells and Rdh10 mRNA expression. In conclusion, administration of atRA might be a way to combat the proinflammatory effects of HSD. Meanwhile, systematic inhibition of IL-23R also had a moderate therapeutic potential in inhibiting inflammatory effects of high salt, which may serve as a basis for the identification of novel therapeutic strategies against HSD-driven autoimmune disorders.

Mechanochemical Synthesis of α-halo Alkylboronic Esters.

α-halo alkylboronic esters, acting as ambiphilic synthons, play a pivotal role as versatile intermediates in fields like pharmaceutical science and organic chemistry. The sequential transformation of carbon-boron and carbon-halogen bonds into a broad range of carbon-X bonds allows for programmable bond formation, facilitating the incorporation of multiple substituents at a single position and streamlining the synthesis of complex molecules. Nevertheless, the synthetic potential of these compounds is constrained by limited reaction patterns. Additionally, the conventional methods often necessitate the use of bulk toxic solvents, exhibit sensitivity to air/moisture, rely on expensive metal catalysts, and involve extended reaction times. In this report, a ball milling technique is introduced that overcomes these limitations, enabling the external catalyst-free multicomponent coupling of aryl diazonium salts, alkenes, and simple metal halides. This approach offers a general and straightforward method for obtaining a diverse array of α-halo alkylboronic esters, thereby paving the way for the extensive utilization of these synthons in the synthesis of fine chemicals.

[Characteristics and Source Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Typical Ozone Pollution Processes During Summer in Jinan, China].

Based on a typical ozone （O3） pollution process in Jinan City from June 16 to 26, 2021, the variation characteristics of O3 and its precursor volatile organic compounds （VOCs） during different pollution periods （clean period （CP）, pollution rise period （PRP）, heavy pollution period （HPP）, and pollution decline period （PDP）） in the urban area were analyzed. Both positive matrix factorization （PMF） and an observation-based model （OBM） were used to identify the main sources of VOCs, O3 production mechanisms, and sensitive species. The results showed that the average value of ρ（O3-8h） during the HPP period in the urban area was （246.67±11.24） µg·m-3, and ρ（O3-1h） had a peak value of 300 µg·m-3. The volume fractions of VOCs and NO2 concentration were affected by the decrease in planetary boundary layer and wind speed, which were 76.99%-145.36% and 127.78%-141.18% higher than those in the other three periods, respectively, and were the main reasons for the aggravation of O3 pollution. Alkanes, oxygenated volatile organic compounds （OVOCs）, and halogenated hydrocarbons accounted for 43.81%, 20.98%, and 17.43% of VOCs in urban areas, respectively. All of them showed significant growth during the HPP period, with acetone, propane, and ethane being the top three species by volume in each stage and isopentane showing the highest growth during the HPP period. Alkene, alkanes, and aromatic hydrocarbons accounted for 40.19%, 28.06%, and 21.92% of the ozone generation potential （OFP）. 1-butene, toluene, isopentane, and isoprene were the species with higher OFP. Isoprene had the highest OFP during the PRP phase, and 1-butene had the highest OFP during the HPP phase. The volume fraction of isopentane significantly increased OFP. The correlation coefficient between VOCs and CO preliminarily indicated that motor vehicle exhaust and oil and gas volatilization were the main sources of VOCs during the HPP period. Further use of PMF revealed that solvent use sources, combustion sources, motor vehicle exhaust+oil and gas volatilization sources, industrial emission sources, and plant sources were important sources of VOCs in urban areas. The contribution of motor vehicle exhaust+oil and gas volatilization sources in the HPP period to VOCs was 3.09-14.72 times higher than that in other periods. The contribution of solvent use sources to VOCs was approximately 2.50 times higher than that in the CP and PRP periods. The main sources of VOCs volume fraction increase were motor vehicle exhaust, oil and gas volatilization sources, and solvent use sources. Potential sources and concentration weight analysis found that VOCs were also affected by the transmission of VOCs to Binzhou and Dongying in the northeast direction. The OBM results indicated that the main pathway of O3 formation in urban areas was the reaction of peroxide hydroxyl radicals （HO2·ï¼‰ and methyl peroxide radicals （CH3O2·ï¼‰ with NO, and the net ozone generation rate during the HPP phase [P（O3）net] was 24×10-9 h-1. Based on the sensitivity experiment results, the alkene components of 1-butene, propylene, cis-2-butene, and ethylene were the dominant species for O3 production.

Precise diagnosis of a hereditary spherocytosis patient with complicated hematological phenotype.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is one of the most common causes of hereditary hemolytic anemia. The current diagnostic guidelines for HS are mainly based on a combination of physical examination and laboratory investigation. However, some patients present with complicated clinical manifestations that cannot be explained by routine diagnostic protocols. Here, we report a rare HS case of mild anemia with extremely high indirect bilirubin levels and high expression of fetal hemoglobin. Using whole exome sequencing analysis, this patient was identified as a heterozygous carrier of a de novo SPTB nonsense mutation (c.605G > A; p.W202*) and a compound heterozygous carrier of known UGT1A1 and KLF1 mutations. This genetic analysis based on the interpretation of the patient's genomic data not only achieved precise diagnosis by an excellent explanation of the complicated phenotype but also provided valuable suggestions for subsequent appropriate approaches for treatment, surveillance and prophylaxis.

In vivo evaluations of Lactobacillus-fermented Eucheuma spinosum polysaccharides on alleviating food allergy activity.

In order to explore the in vivo anti-food allergy activity of Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei-fermented Eucheuma spinosum polysaccharides F1-ESP-3, an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy mouse model was established by ascites immunization and gavage. The weight, temperature, incidence of diarrhea, levels of allergic mediators and inflammatory factors in the serum of mice were analyzed. We analyzed the differentiation of mouse spleen lymphocytes and the proportion of sensitized mast cells by flow cytometry. The intestinal barrier status of mice was analyzed by intestinal pathological tissue sections and microbiota sequencing. The results showed that F1-ESP-3 could alleviate the food allergy symptoms of mice, such as hypothermia and loose stool; levels of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E, mast cell protease and histamine in the serum of sensitized mice and the proportion of dendritic cells and mast cells in mouse spleen were significantly reduced; in addition, F1-ESP-3 may protect the intestinal barrier and further improve the intestinal microenvironment of food-allergic mice by regulating the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. F1-ESP-3 can further improve the intestinal microenvironment of food-allergic mice by upregulating the levels of Lachnospiraceae, and may affect the signal pathways such as NOD-like receptor, MAPK, I kappa B and antigen processing and presentation.

A spatial transcriptome map of the developing maize ear.

A comprehensive understanding of inflorescence development is crucial for crop genetic improvement, as inflorescence meristems give rise to reproductive organs and determine grain yield. However, dissecting inflorescence development at the cellular level has been challenging owing to a lack of specific marker genes to distinguish among cell types, particularly in different types of meristems that are vital for organ formation. In this study, we used spatial enhanced resolution omics-sequencing (Stereo-seq) to construct a precise spatial transcriptome map of the developing maize ear primordium, identifying 12 cell types, including 4 newly defined cell types found mainly in the inflorescence meristem. By extracting the meristem components for detailed clustering, we identified three subtypes of meristem and validated two MADS-box genes that were specifically expressed at the apex of determinate meristems and involved in stem cell determinacy. Furthermore, by integrating single-cell RNA transcriptomes, we identified a series of spatially specific networks and hub genes that may provide new insights into the formation of different tissues. In summary, this study provides a valuable resource for research on cereal inflorescence development, offering new clues for yield improvement.

Characterising the changes in RSV epidemiology in Beijing, China during 2015-2023: results from a prospective, multi-centre, hospital-based surveillance and serology study.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has posed substantial morbidity and mortality burden to young children and older adults globally. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was reported to have altered RSV epidemiology and could have important implications for RSV prevention and control strategies. We aimed to compare RSV epidemiology in different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic with the pre-pandemic period by leveraging epidemiological, molecular, and serological data collected from a prospective respiratory pathogen surveillance and serology study. Methods: This study was based on the data during July 1, 2015 to November 30, 2023 from the Respiratory Pathogen Surveillance System (RPSS), a sentinel-hospital based surveillance system of acute respiratory infections consisting of 35 hospitals that represent residents of all ages from all 16 districts in Beijing, China. RSV infection status was tested by RT-PCR and gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was conducted among the identified RSV strains. We further supplemented RPSS data with three serology surveys conducted during 2017-2023 that tested RSV IgG levels from serum specimens. RSV detection rate was calculated by calendar month and compared across RSV seasons (defined as the July 1 through June 30 of the following year). RSV IgG positivity proportion was calculated by quarter of the year and was correlated with quarterly aggregated RSV detection rate for understanding the relationship between infection and immunity at the population level. Findings: Overall, a total of 52,931 respiratory specimens were collected and tested over the study period. RSV detection rates ranged from 1.24% (94/7594) in the 2017-2018 season to 2.80% (219/7824) in the 2018-2019 season, and from 1.06% (55/5165) in the 2022-2023 season to 2.98% (147/4938) in the 2021-2022 season during the pre-pandemic and pandemic period, respectively. ON1 and BA9 remained the predominant genotypes during the pandemic period; no novel RSV strains were identified. RSV circulation followed a winter-months seasonal pattern in most seasons. One exception was the 2020-2021 season when an extensive year-round circulation was observed, possibly associated with partial relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). The other exception was the 2022-2023 season when very low RSV activity was observed during the usual winter months (possibly due to the concurrent local COVID-19 epidemic), and followed by an out-of-season resurgence in the spring, with RSV detection persisting to the end of the study period (November 2023). During the two seasons above, we noted an age-group related asynchrony in the RSV detection rate; the RSV detection rate in young children remained similar (or even increased with borderline significance; 43/594, 7.24%, and 42/556, 7.55% vs 292/5293, 5.52%; P = 0.10 and P = 0.06, respectively) compared with the pre-pandemic seasons whereas the detection rate in older adults decreased significantly (8/1779, 0.45%, and 3/2021, 0.15% vs 160/10,348, 1.55%; P < 0.001 in two comparisons). Results from serology surveys showed significantly declined RSV IgG positivity in the 2022-2023 season compared to the pre-pandemic seasons (9.32%, 29/311 vs 20.16%, 100/496; P < 0.001); older adults had significantly higher RSV IgG positivity than young children in both pre-pandemic and pandemic periods (P values < 0.001). Interpretation: Our study documented the trajectory of RSV detection along with the changes in the stringency of NPIs, measured IgG positivity, and local COVID-19 epidemics. The findings suggest the interplay between contact patterns, immunity dynamics, and SARS-CoV-2 infection in shaping the RSV epidemics of population of different ages. These findings provide novel insights into the potential drivers of RSV circulating patterns and have important implications for RSV prevention and control strategies. Funding: The High-qualified Public Health Professionals Development Project, Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research, and the Public Health Personnel Training Support Program.

Microfluidic Immunosensing Platform Based on a Rolling Circle Amplification-Assisted DNA Dendrimer Probe for Portable and Sensitive Detection of Allergen-Specific IgE.

The robust point-of-care platform for sensitive, multiplexed, and affordable detection of allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) is an urgent demand in component-resolved diagnostics. Here, we developed a microfluidic immunosensing platform based on a rolling circle amplification-assisted DNA dendrimer probe for sensitive detection of multiple sIgEs. The versatile multichannel microfluidic whole blood analytical device integrates cell filtration, recombinant antigen-modified magnetic enrichment, and DNA dendrimer probe-amplified signal transduction for portable on-chip analysis. Three sIgEs against common oyster allergens were simultaneously detected in blood samples by simple smartphone-based imaging without any pretreatment. The quantitative detection of multiple allergen-specific antibodies on the platform was achieved with limits of detection of less than 50 pg/mL, exhibiting superior sensitivity compared to most point-of-care testing. The detection results of 55 serum samples and 4 whole blood samples were 100% consistent with the ELISA results, confirming the accuracy and stability of our platform. Additionally, the reversible combination of hexahistidine6-tag and Ni-IMAC magbead was elegantly utilized on the immunosensing platform for desired reversibility. With the advantages of general applicability, high sensitivity, and reversibility, the DNA dendrimer-based microfluidic immunosensing platform provides great potential for the portable detection of immune proteins as a point-of-care platform in disease diagnostics and biological analysis.

LettuceDB: an integrated multi-omics database for cultivated lettuce.

Crop genomics has advanced rapidly during the past decade, which generated a great abundance of omics data from multi-omics studies. How to utilize the accumulating data becomes a critical and urgent demand in crop science. As an attempt to integrate multi-omics data, we developed a database, LettuceDB (https://db.cngb.org/lettuce/), aiming to assemble multidimensional data for cultivated and wild lettuce germplasm. The database includes genome, variome, phenome, microbiome and spatial transcriptome. By integrating user-friendly bioinformatics tools, LettuceDB will serve as a one-stop platform for lettuce research and breeding in the future. Database URL: https://db.cngb.org/lettuce/.

Attitude and heading measurement based on adaptive complementary Kalman filter for PS/MIMU integrated system.

The bionic polarization sensor (PS)/MEMS inertial measurement unit (MIMU) integrated system can provide reliable attitude and heading information for unmanned vehicles in the case of GNSS rejection. However, the existing measurement methods have poor adaptability to inclining, sheltering, and other harsh environments, and do not make full use of the complementary characteristics of the gyroscopes, accelerometers, and PS, which seriously affects the system performance. Therefore, this paper proposes an attitude and heading measurement method based on an adaptive complementary Kalman filter (ACKF), which corrects the gyroscopes according to the gravity measured by the accelerometers to improve the attitude accuracy and fuses the IMU heading and tilt-compensated polarization heading by Kalman optimal estimation. On this basis, the maximum correlation entropy of the measured gravity and the theoretical gravity is used to construct an adaptive factor to realize the adaptive complementary of the gyroscopes and the accelerometers. Finally, the effectiveness of the method is verified by the outdoor rotation test without occlusion and the vehicle test with occlusion. Compared with the traditional Kalman filter, the pitch, roll, and heading RMSE of the vehicle test are reduced by 89.3%, 93.2% and, 9.6% respectively, which verifies the great advantages.

SUPT5H mutations associated with elevation of Hb A2 level: Identification of two novel variants and literature review.

ß-thalassemia is one of the most common monogenic disorders in areas of the tropics and subtropics, which represents a major familial and social burden to local people. The elevated Hb A2 level, generally specified as greater than 3.5 %, is commonly used as a high efficiency index for screening of ß-thalassemia carriers. However, mutations in other genes such as GATA1 and KLF1, could also result in increased Hb A2 level. In this study, we identified two novel variants in the SUPT5H gene: a frameshift mutation (SUPT5H: c.3032_3033delTG, p.M1011Mfs*9) and a nonsense mutation (SUPT5H: c.397C > T, p.Arg133*) in two Chinese individuals. Utilizing a combination of phenotype analysis, bioinformatics analysis, and functional analysis, we deduced that these two variants modified the SUPT5H protein's structure, thereby impacting its function and consequently leading to the heightened Hb A2 level phenotype found in the carriers. Furthermore, through a comprehensive literature review, a mutation spectrum was consolidated for SUPT5H, an investigation into the genotype-phenotype correlation was conducted, and factors known to influence Hb A2 levels were identified. Based on this in-depth understanding, clinicians are better equipped to carry out large scale screenings in regions with high prevalence of ß-thalassemia.

Mechanochemical synthesis of organoselenium compounds.

We disclose herein a strategy for the rapid synthesis of versatile organoselenium compounds under mild conditions. In this work, magnesium-based selenium nucleophiles are formed in situ from easily available organic halides, magnesium metal, and elemental selenium via mechanical stimulation. This process occurs under liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) conditions, requires no complicated pre-activation procedures, and operates broadly across a diverse range of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl substrates. In this work, symmetrical diselenides are efficiently obtained after work-up in the air, while one-pot nucleophilic addition reactions with various electrophiles allow the comprehensive synthesis of unsymmetrical monoselenides with high functional group tolerance. Notably, the method is applied to regioselective selenylation reactions of diiodoarenes and polyaromatic aryl halides that are difficult to operate via solution approaches. Besides selenium, elemental sulfur and tellurium are also competent in this process, which showcases the potential of the methodology for the facile synthesis of organochalcogen compounds.

Expanding the Anti-Stokes Shift of TTA-UC to 1.04 eV by Chemical Tuning of BODIPY-Based Organic Photosensitizers.

A series of BODIPY-derivatives B-1 ∼ B-5 were synthesized as metal-free photosensitizers in triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion (UC) with the purpose of finely tuning the excited state properties to reduce the energy loss during intersystem crossing (ISC), and hence to expand the anti-Stokes shift of TTA-UC. It was revealed that B-5 showed a ΔEST of as small as 0.28 eV, thus, providing a large anti-Stokes shift of 1.04 eV in TTA-UC with organic sensitizers. A deep red-blue upconversion emission with UC quantum yields of up to 10.7% (out of a 50% maximum) was observed.